as in preparatory
coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows
we need to do some preliminary research in order to properly focus the experiment
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in prelude
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event
a meeting to discuss seating arrangements that was merely a preliminary to the formal negotiating sessions
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Recent Examples of preliminary
Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 3 June 2025
President Donald Trump initially imposed triple-digit levies on China in April, and scaled it back a month later to 30% after a preliminary agreement to continue talks towards a bigger trade deal was secured.
—Joseph Zeballos-Roig, Quartz, 3 June 2025
Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 6 Mar. 2025
Her six-game outburst in the state preliminaries screamed of consistency, with no score lower than 217 and none higher than 269.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Adjective
According to a motion for a preliminary injunction filed on Tuesday by Somerville and Chelsea, the targeting of cities and towns over their local policies is both unconstitutional and at odds with the advice of local law enforcement.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 3 June 2025
President Donald Trump initially imposed triple-digit levies on China in April, and scaled it back a month later to 30% after a preliminary agreement to continue talks towards a bigger trade deal was secured.
—Joseph Zeballos-Roig, Quartz, 3 June 2025
Noun
While the diving kicked off Thursday, the swimming gets underway with preliminaries on Friday, with the finals for both swimming and diving slated for Saturday.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 6 Mar. 2025
Her six-game outburst in the state preliminaries screamed of consistency, with no score lower than 217 and none higher than 269.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminary
Adjective
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Pade paints directly onto the canvas without a preparatory drawing, often smudging areas of the canvas with a cloth at the end of a day in her Paris studio.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
The Club World Cup then starts on June 14, while some teams are likely to organise preparatory exhibition games ahead of the competition.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Noun
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Her administration sent Triple Five a March 6 letter demanding the $5 million payment, communication that was the prelude to the lawsuit.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2025
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The moment serves as a prelude for an episode almost entirely devoted to Joel’s time as Ellie’s adoptive father in the years between their arrival in Jackson and his death.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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Students begin with three introductory modules, all available online now, then select an FSF discipline: design and product development, merchandising, marketing, or business strategy.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
28 May 2025
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From that ugly introductory victory, the film goes on to portray the remaining 15-odd years in Magellan’s ever-loftier, ever-hungrier career, though Diaz isn’t massively hung up on historical dates and particulars.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminary. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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